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12 nights / 13 days
Specific Tour
2 - 6 persons
English
OVERVIEW
This itinerary combines exclusive wildlife viewing with luxury living, adrenaline spiked walks and sun soaked days on the beach. Conservation is uppermost in this programme, from wildlife research, community development, and anti-poaching activities at Loisaba, to leaving no footprint during your walking safari in eastern Laikipia, as well as supporting the conservation and upkeep of sea turtles.
For the walking safari, a typical day begins with a wake up call before sunrise. After a light breakfast, set off on your walk, accompanied by a Laikipia Maasai tracker. Riding camels will also be on hand to carry the refreshments and daypacks. Watch the sun rise as you navigate your way across the plains. In the mid morning hours, you will stop for a light snack, and then continue walking until you reach your new campsite. Typically the distance covered in the morning walk is between 8 to 14 km, and the intensity level is upto you – you walk as fast or as slow as you want. The camels are available for riding if you get tired and can’t walk. Camp has already been set up, and you are greeted with a cool drink and a gourmet lunch. The afternoon is at leisure, either relaxing in your tent, or exploring the nearby river, or fishing. Head out in the late afternoon for a gentle walk, finishing up with sundowners. A hot shower, drinks by the fire and a 3 – course dinner served under the stars ends the day.
Morning arrival into Nairobi, and connect with your internal flight to Loisaba Conservancy, a 57,000 acre wildlife conservancy and working ranch located in the Laikipia region. Loisaba is part of a larger story of community conservancies, that work together to keep a landscape of over 15 million acres intact and functioning for wildlife, livestock & community, as well as keeping open one of Kenya’s most important elephant corridors. The lodge is perched on the edge of the escarpment and offers unrivalled views of the Laikipia landscape all the way to Mt Kenya. Go out on a game drive in the afternoon and explore this region, home to large numbers of elephant, buffalo, reticulated giraffe, as well as lions, leopards and wild dogs.
Full board and overnight at Loisaba Camp
An adventurous day here at Loisaba, enjoying day & night game drives, observing a kaleidoscope of animal and birdlife. You are not confined to the vehicle – you could choose to trek through the bush on camels, mountain bike down the escarpment, horseback or drive through the wild canyons of the 2 great rivers that span the property. Spend the afternoon at the local Maasai village learning to dance, or laze away the afternoon, or fishing. For the more active, a visit to the anti-poaching dog unit can be arranged.
Full board and overnight at Loisaba Camp
Transfer to the airstrip where you will meet up with the walking trails company. Drive to camp to meet the rest of the team, and check into the camp, already set up under the massive rock Nantodo. After lunch, the afternoon will be spent settling in. An early evening hike up this massive rock, looking out towards the Matthews Range and the Karisia Hills. You may be able to spot elephant, gerenuk, impala and ostrich on the plains below. Return to Camp for hot showers and cool drinks.
Full board and overnight at Nantodo Camp
An early morning start after a light breakfast, will have you walking down towards the Uaso Nyiro River. Look out for gerenuk, Grant’s gazelle as well as Grevy’s zebra. You may also catch a glimpse of the Samburu womenfolk coming down to the river with their donkeys, as well as the Samburu warriors with their goats and camel. Arrive at your camp set up by the river, and enjoy a dip in the river to cool off after the walk. Relax after lunch, and set off in the late afternoon for a short walk, hopefully to spot the Greater Kudu.
Full board and overnight at Nantodo Fig Tree Camp
Another early start, as you head out at daybreak, up the river bank. You may see elephants, klipspringers and warthogs as they move to shadier areas. Head towards the pinnacle of Ngai Suisui, to your camp set up on the ridge next to the pinnacle. In the early evening, as the day cools down, climb up the pinnacle and enjoy sundowners with an awesome 360 degree view of the area around.
Full board and overnight at Ngai Suisui camp
Depart with the rising sun, and walk down a dramatic valley to a serene spot located near the river, Namasaa. The landscape is spectacular, and as we walk along the river’s edge, we pass under some enormous Neutonia trees, all the while looking out for hippos in the deep pools. A rocky river course with fig trees clinging to rocks, leads us out of the valley to rolling plains to see elephant, and the peculiar Pancake Tortoises that live in the cracks of the rocks. Arrive at the camp for lunch and in the afternoon, relax at camp, watching the local tribesmen bring their livestock to the river. A gentle evening walk rounds off the day.
Full board and overnight at Nagaratat
Walk out of the river valley, to meet your vehicle taking you to Tumaren Camp, visiting the market enroute (check market days operating). The day is more relaxed – you can enjoy a picnic by the river, try your hand at fishing or simply sit and watch the animals coming to the salt lick in front of Camp.
Full board and overnight at Tumaren Camp
Explore the area around Camp, looking for wildlife, and rock climbing or rafting in the river. Alternatively visit the camel herd, and the local school. Tumaren is rich in wildlife, and the Maasai and Samburu guides will provide a great perspective on the wildlife, and also on the local cultures of Northern Kenya. Finish off this epic day with hot showers and an indulgent dinner.
Full board and overnight at Tumaren Camp
You will fly to the coast, via Nairobi. On arrival in Malindi, drive a short distance to Watamu, a beautiful little town on the Kenyan coast and home to Watamu Marine National Park. Your hotel for the next 4 nights is located in the middle of this pristine Marine Park with its sparkling turquoise waters. Dinners are included in your meal here.
Dinner and overnight at Hemingways Watamu
There are activities galore here in Watamu – learn how to kite-surf, get your PADI certification in scuba diving, enjoy a sunset dhow cruise on the creek (all available at extra cost). If all this sounds too exhausting, curl up with a good book by the pool and sample all the cocktails in the house (cocktails charged as per consumption).
Dinner and overnight at Hemingways, Watamu
Today you will visit the Local Ocean Conservation where sick and injured turtles are rehabilitated before being released into the Watamu Marine Park. There are monitors patrolling the beaches at night to keep the turtles and their nests safe. You will spend an hour here, learning about their work and visiting the sick turtles in the rehabilitation centre (not guaranteed).
Dinner and overnight at Hemingways, Watamu
On your last day at the Kenyan coast, explore Watamu. This sleepy town has a strong Italian influence with pizzerias and gelatarias around every corner.
Dinner and overnight at Hemingways, Watamu
Fly back to Nairobi where you will be booked into a dayroom at the Four Points Sheraton located near the airport. Evening transfer to the airport for your departure flight.
No meals included on this day. Dayroom at Four Points Sheraton
